Highlights
- Lovely example of rare Opel two-door
- Older restoration
- Very rare in the UK
- Five-spoke Borbet alloys and five-speed conversion
The Appeal
First shown at the 1965 Frankfurt Motor Show as a concept car and pre-dating the Corvette C3 on which many people believe it to have been based, the Opel GT is a sensational-looking machine that’s also a very simple car to maintain by virtue of its Opel Kadett running gear.
Its party trick is its lever-operated rotating headlights, but aside from the aerodynamic lamp arrangement, it’s also an agile and thoroughly enjoyable car to drive, especially in flagship 1.9-litre form with the lively cam-in-head engine as shared with the Opel Manta.
Designed by Corvette stylist Clare Makichan, the rear end is pure C3 with its four round taillights. The GT was Opel’s first two-seater sportscar since 1924 and it gave a good account of itself, the light weight giving it agile handling and impressive performance for a four-cylinder car. It weighed just 940kg, meaning it could reach 115mph flat-out. Its steel body was built by Chausson and trimmed by Brissoneau et Lotz in France, before final production build in Opel's factory in Bochum, Germany.
This one – left-hand-drive as all factory cars were – is a well-presented and much-loved example. An older restoration, it still looks great and sits on a set of purposeful five-spoke Borbet alloy wheels. Look closely and you’ll see that it also has a clever numberplate.
It’s a lovely thing - and promises to be huge fun for its next owner, especially if you’re in the market for a cool and different Sixties sports car.
The History and Paperwork
- UK V5C
- MOT, tax and ULEZ/CAZ exempt
- Some historic invoices
- Manufactured in 1969 as a US-specification car, originally Fireglow Orange with automatic transmission
- Imported to the UK in 1980 and competed by its previous owner
- Refinished in Maserati Rosso Red with Borbet alloy wheels and a five-speed close-ration Getrag manual transmission fitted by previous owner
- TOAD immobiliser and alarm
- Original sales brochures and a selection of magazine articles included
- Old MOT certificates
- Owner’s handbook
- OPE 169G (OPEL 69 G) registration number included
The Condition
- Older restoration that’s still in great order
- Repainted in Maserati Rosso Red
- All panels and paint in good overall condition with no dents, damage or significant marks
- Some signs of corrosion in both rear wheel arch lips
- Corrosion to the inner edge of left-hand headlamp unit
- Appears solid underneath but with light surface corrosion to some components
- Five-spoke 15-inch Borbet alloy wheels with high quality Bridgestone tyres all-round
- Some light kerb marks to wheel edges
- Chrome tarnished on rear bumper but all trim and badges present and correct
- Black vinyl seats in good order
- Period wood-rimmed steering wheel
- Electric cut-off switch
- Tidy headlining, door cars and carpets
- Modern JVC stereo with USB input
- Small nick in centre console
- Overall sound, presentable and good condition with some slight cosmetic attention required to take to the next level
The Mechanics
- 1.9-litre cam-in-head (CIH) 4cyl engine
- Close-ratio Getrag five-speed manual gearbox
- Weber 32/36 DGV carb
- Recent full stainless steel exhaust system
- Electronic ignition
- Electric cooling fan
- Recored radiator
- Reconditioned starter motor
- Recent oil service and transmission oil change
- Reported by the vendor to be in very good running order with no declared faults or issues
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ If the seller is registered as a private seller, consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not apply. Car & Classic’s return policy applies.
✓ A non-refundable deposit will be payable if you are the winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for details.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is, Where Is’ basis and without warranty. A full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase and bidding is highly recommended. Photos and descriptions are for guidance purposes only.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
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